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Israel Folau signs with Super League club Catalans Dragons

French rugby league club Catalans Dragons have announced the signing of former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau.

Former Australian professional rugby league player Israel Folau. Picture: AAP
Former Australian professional rugby league player Israel Folau. Picture: AAP

Catalans Dragons have announced the signing of former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau.

The 30-year-old dual-code international, who has not played since being sacked by Rugby Australia for comments made on social media, has signed a one-year contract with the Super League club.

“Catalans Dragons are pleased to announce the signing of Israel Folau with immediate effect,” the Perpignan-based club said in a statement.

Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch said: “We want to give Israel a new opportunity to shine on the pitch.”

Folau, 30, an ardent Christian and former poster boy of Australian rugby, was fired in May by Rugby Australia over a social media post warning “hell awaits” gay people.

Catalans had reportedly made contact with Super League chief executive Robert Elstone to discuss the possibility of signing Israel Folau.

The Super League kicks off their 2020 season on Thursday and Catalans are desperate to get the deal done as soon as possible.

Catalans recently released Fiji international Brayden Wiliame to join St George Illawarra, so the club has been chasing a replacement.

It was reported Cronulla star Josh Dugan turned down an approach from the Dragons, while Wide World of Sports reported Bryson Goodwin was close to leaving South Sydney for a second time, but chose to stay.

The 30-year-old has also had a possible NRL return blocked by the Australian Rugby League Commission.

The Rugby Football League and the Super League both released statements saying they would not prevent Folau’s signing.

“This is a difficult decision, as the RFL places a high value on the sport’s reputation in prioritising Inclusion and Diversity — and deplores the player’s previous comments,” said the RFL.

“However the moral responsibility for deciding whether to sign a player sits with individual clubs.

“The player has not been charged or found guilty of any criminal offence.

“However distasteful his previous comments, we don’t believe that, under our current regulatory framework, these can prevent his participation in the sport.”

Super League executive chairman Robert Elstone said he “deplores” Folau’s past statements “which squarely contradict our sport’s core values.”

“I have sought the opinion of informed voices connected to our game, and the majority share my disappointment that one of our clubs has chosen to sign him.

“There is a strong feeling that the decision to sign him lets down many people connected to our sport.

“I made Catalans Dragons aware of those views.”

Folau said he “acknowledged the views expressed by Super League and the Rugby Football League”.

“I’m a proud Christian, my beliefs are personal, my intention is not to hurt anyone and I will not be making further public comment about them,” he said.

“I look forward to my return to the great game of rugby league with the Catalans Dragons.”

With AAP, Fox Sports

Read related topics:Religious Freedom

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/israel-folau-signs-with-super-league-club-catalans-dragons/news-story/3ec156a15275c4f7c8bc0609fe3d62cb